Fourteen local fire companies will receive more than $180,000 combined in state grants, according to State Rep. Rob Matzie.

The money comes from the Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program funded by state gaming revenue.

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Expanded in 2013 by a law Matzie supported, its annual funding increased from $25 million to $30 million, and eligibility was extended to 35 municipal fire departments across the state.

"As a policymaker, public safety has been and will remain a priority for me," Matzie, D-Ambridge, said in a statement. "This investment from the commonwealth will assist those first responders who work tirelessly to ensure they are at the ready if called upon."

The law increased the average amount of grants to fire departments from $9,500 to $12,000, with a maximum grant of $15,000, and the average grant to volunteer ambulance companies from $4,500 to $5,600, with a maximum grant of $10,000.Grant recipients in the 16th Legislative District are:

Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department, $13,730;

Baden Volunteer Fire Department, $14,284;

Economy Volunteer Fire Department, $14,007;

Harmony Township Volunteer Firemen Inc., $12,068;

Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Protective Association Inc., $12,345;

Conway Volunteer Fire Department, $14,284;

Leetsdale Fire Department, $12,068;

Aliquippa Bureau of Fire, $14,284;

Hopewell Township Volunteer Fire Department, $12,345;

East Rochester Borough Volunteer Fire Department, $11,514;

Monaca No. 1 Volunteer Fire Department,$11,514;

Monaca No. 4 Volunteer Fire Department, $12,068;

Monaca No. 5 Volunteer Fire Company, $11,791;

Rochester Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, $14,284;

Grants can be used toward repairing, building or renovating facilities. The money also can be applied toward the purchase of new equipment, training and certification of staff, or it may go to repay debt related to equipment purchases or facility building and maintenance.Like Ambridge Connection on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Have a story you'd like to share? Email connect@ambridgeconnection.com.